Judy Ann Drake

Judy Ann Drake (nee Palmer) was born on November 10, 1946, to proud parents, Jimmie Giles Palmer and Gwendolyn Howell Palmer. Judy grew up in Kilgore, Texas, and graduated from Kilgore High School in 1964. In early 1968, Judy made the decision to take a bold step and move to San Antonio, Texas, to work at the HemisFair. It was at the HemisFair that she met the love of her life, Roy, an airman stationed in San Antonio. Judy and Roy married in November of 1968, and remained married for 55 years and 2 days. The young couple began their newlywed life in El Paso, Texas for Roy to attend the University of Texas at El Paso, and soon Roy shipped out to begin his tour in Vietnam. After Vietnam, the couple moved to Gatesville, Texas, and welcomed their first daughter, Kim, in 1973. Judy and Roy then moved to Sherman in 1975 and welcomed their second daughter, Kelly, in 1977. After Kim and Kelly were older, Judy opened an antiques store, Memory Lane Antiques. Judy remained at the helm of Memory Lane until 1998, when she shut down her business to pursue new opportunities. Judy then began working retail and thrived as she could up-sale anything and was known for her top notch customer service. Consistently, Judy won contests for securing "speedy apps," which were store credit applications. She always had quite the clientele, who requested that Judy assist them. Notably, she served as a general manager at Bealls Department Store in Sherman, Texas, and finished out her career at the Sherman Belk Department Store in early 2016. After Judy retired, she focused on her home in Whitesboro, Texas, and had various antique booths over the years. She loved her antiques and remained involved with selling antiques as long as she could. After Roy's death in November 2023, Judy began a new chapter of her life, living independently at Asher Point (formerly known as the Renaissance) in Sherman and then spent her final months at Pecan Point Assisted Living. During this time, Judy made many friends playing bingo and socializing. She was well known for her creativity and artwork, especially her paintings and her ability to elaborately decorate for the various holidays. Judy passed away on January 16, 2025, from various medical complications. Though honestly, her passing is most likely due to a broken heart, as she needed to be with Roy as he was her one and only true love. Judy is survived by her daughters Kim Drake-Loy and Kelly Drake, her son-in-law, Jeff Loy, her cousin, Becky McCain, and her family by marriage, John and Elaine Loy. She is predeceased by her husband, Roy, her parents, Jimmie and Gwen Palmer, and her brother, Jimmie Gene Palmer. In lieu of flowers, her memory may be honored by making a donation to ARFHouse, 3377 Spaulding Road, Sherman, Texas 75092. A memorial will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Pecan Point Assisted Living in Sherman, Texas, at 2:00 pm. Judy ultimately will be buried with her beloved, Roy, at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff at Pecan Point Assisted Living. They made the final months of Judy's life joyful and inspiring. We always will be grateful for this kindness.

Judy Ann Drake

November 10, 1946 - January 16, 2025